Main (and only) System

by esoxhntr on Done For Now

Description

Basically, the only system I own worth mentioning. I have it fully set up in my new house and it looks like I will be standing pat for a bit, so I thought that I would take the time to post.

I had much of this gear at my old house in a 10 x 10 room and was very happy, but had to make some additions after moving into a new 15 x 14 room. The CLS IIz panels were not quite up to the challenge of the bigger space, so after 2 months of investigating other speaker options, I added the Kinergetics SW800 subwoofer system and the Blue Circle BC228 monoblocks.

I'm not sure if I could be any more satisfied, but of course you're all encouraged to take your best shot - no baby on board here... :)

Truthfully, I will have to be looking for a new turntable in the not too distant future, so I would love input in that regard.

I will add some pictures in the next couple of days, if that interests anyone.
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Components Toggle details

    • Wadia 270
    Simple and effective. May or may not upgrade to SE , or send to GNSC.
    • Blue Circle AG9000
    A stock DAC board modified well beyond the limits of good taste - unbelievable sound, though NOT cheap. Gets along extraordinarily well with the Wadia transport. Shown in picture with Kinergetics crossover.
    • SME 20/2A
    Mid model SME turntable, packaged with IV.V arm. Simple and elegant - surprisingly straightforward to assemble.
    • Dynavector 17-D2 mkII
    Modest, but effective. Nice tonal balance, not overly coloured.
    • Blue Circle BC27 pi Phono
    New phono stage by Blue Circle replacing the BC23. The pi has a slim case design - looks like a very short and narrow shoebox. The pi model has an external power supply
    • Blue Circle Audio AG3000
    Blue Circle's current production reference level. Four 6922 tubes are used. Fully balanced design with four Shallco volume controls.
    • Blue Circle Audio AG8000
    Fully balanced hybrid design, tube input, SS output. Current Blue Circle reference production model. Comes in four chassis, monblocks with separate power supplies. These run the Kinergetics subwoofer towers. Only the left monoblock is shown.
    • Blue Circle Audio BC228
    Sort of a one box modified version of the AG8000, but souped up a bit. Not a production model. Another 6922 based hybrid. These amps drive the CLS panels.
    • Martin Logan CLS IIZ
    20th anniversary edition of the CLS IIZ, one of the last few pairs off of the line. I really love their ability to image, and their faithful reproduction of tonal quality.
    • Kinergetics SW-800 sub
    Passive sub tower with five 10 inch drivers per side. Crossover is Kinergetics 800C. Subs are crossed over at 80 Hz, and I am using the -18db Butterworth circuit. No shortage of bass or punch...
    • Blue Circle Audio Black Box
    Total custom job - kind of an 83.1 and an 85.1 together but with more stuff. Pictured with prototype version of BC68 power cord.
    • MIT MH 750
    Oldie but goodie, possibly THE cable for the CLS IIz.
    • Blue Circle BC 92
    Moderately priced but highly effective Speaker cable from Blue Circle. Used on the sub towers.
    • Blue Circle BC62
    Again, moderately priced, but effective. These are on every component except the Turntable power supply (captive cord), and the speakers.
    • Blue Circle BC68
    Power cord with in line balanced conditioner. Used on the CLS IIz speakers.
    • Blue Circle BC 95
    Once again, no frills but very effective cabling from Blue Circle. I use this between all of the components in a balanced format, except between the phono stage and the preamp

Comments 21

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I expect my cls in the next week or so. Expect to have to replace the panels at some point. Although someone had success with vaccuming the panels. The transformers seem to be problem free.
For some reason I seem to be obsessed with speed. I really like female vocals and sharp transients. I see maybe a spectral dmc 20(spectral could take away some of the lushness of the koetsu/ atma-sphere?) and atma-sphere mk 1.
I think maybe the cls needs to crossover ideally at 250hz. That's more a woofer than sub. Last time I had a pair I crossed over at 100hz.
I understand your love for sme. I am using a vpi aries 2 with sme iv and benz glider lo. My sota star needs refurbishing. I think I want to trade up to a sota cosmo wheaton triplanar and Koetsu. I reely like the sme iv. maybe I will keep it. the sme is probably a better match for sota.
Anyway it will probaly take the rest of the year to get set.

gregadd

see you have your new turntable. i have a line on cls. don't know what kind of sub i will get.

gregadd

all you need now is ribbon tweeters.

gregadd

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